Greetings, word lovers. Magaly here, writing to you while high October-is-coming! fumes. In
case you haven’t noticed, I might be more than slightly obsessed with the tenth
month of the year. I could blame it all on the thought of pumpkin chili and skull
cakes, or on the all-around overabundance of witchy hats. But that wouldn’t be
fair or true, since the fact that I will get to delight in scary prose
and creepy poetry happens to be just as guilty.
I love my October in
prose:
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. It would be terrible if we just skipped from September to November, wouldn’t it? Look at these maple branches. Don’t they give you a thrill--several thrills?” — Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery
I love my October in
poetry:
O
hushed October morning mild,
Thy
leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s
wind, if it be wild,
Should
waste them all.
—
“October”, by Robert Frost
And I love, love, LOVE it when October speaks directly to us (or, um… to April *cough*):
“October knew, of course, that the action of turning a page, of ending a chapter or shutting a book, did not end the tale. Having admitted that, he would also avow that happy endings were never difficult to find: “It is simply a matter,” he explained to April, “of finding a sunny place in a garden, where the light is golden and the grass is soft; somewhere to rest, to stop reading, and to be content.” — Season of Mists (The Sandman #4), by Neil Gaiman
I could go on and on about October, but I suspect
you already tired of my autumnal cheer and stopped reading. So, I better get
to our Scribblings: for today’s prompt, I wish for everyone to
create new poetry or prose inspired by anything October. Think of traditions,
colors, rituals, folklore, memories of events lived in that month… and then
write, link, read, and share your thoughts on the contributions of others.
As always, this prompt will stay open until next Wednesday.
One link per participant, please. If you choose to delight us with prose, the
word count should be 369 words or fewer. Do have fun. Stay safe and healthy. And
if you have a minute (or 3), tell
us a bit about your favorite month.
Go ahead,
our Mr. Linky loves your words—feed him, poets and storytellers!
My favourite month, hmmm? I love autumn best of all the seasons. Of course, for most of you October is in autumn, but for me in Australia this is Spring – a lovely season too. And in fact November, which is deep in Spring here, is my favourite month, because it's my birth month. Thanks for a rich prompt, Magaly. I went to sad places with it, but those poems need to be written too.
ReplyDeleteI love April for the same reasons you love October. It's my birthday month and it's gloriously springy.
DeleteI understand going to sad places, in October. My love for the month doesn't take away the bittersweetness that comes with it being the time of remembrance for me. With the Veil as thin as it is this time of year, it's difficult not to grieve our loved ones who have crossed... even as we celebrate their lives.
Beautiful October quotes and a lovely prompt. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Rall. So glad you like the quotes.
DeleteHappy Wednesday to all, my favourite month? well then read my poem
ReplyDeletemuch love...
I shall! I hope you are having a great day, too.
DeleteOctober is a busy month for this Mom ~~ three of my four children have October birthdates. 10, 13, and 14.
ReplyDeleteI am extremely jealous of your child who was born October 13th. What a fun birthday that must be.
DeleteOctober is busy for me, too. It's when most of my yearly health check-ups are done. At first, when I go really sick, it was really hard not to develop a dislike for the month--thank goodness for small blessings.
I hope your children and you have a fun and creative birthday month celebration.
Son Carl born on Friday 13th. LOL
Delete😁
DeleteOctober has always been the happiest month for me. The weather starts to cool, it's corn picking time, Halloween comes, and the day before is always my birthday. Until I was old enough to help pick the corn I would ride in a two wheel trailer hooked behind our horse team pulled grain wagon riding down the rows while Mom and Dad picked the corn off the stalks.
ReplyDelete..
I love you reasons for finding October to be a happy month, Jim. I can practically smell the corn (and imagine the mazes), and after all that you get a birthday party. Perfect!
DeleteOctober is MY favorite month! Really! I absolutely love the way the sun is angled slightly more in the sky. While I love the colors of the trees, and appreciate them now that I have them (I grew up in a warmer area), the colors of the harvest is even nicer.
ReplyDeleteI had to look up Gaiman's short story, October in the Chair, because your quote featured October and April as well and I wondered if it was the same. October in the chair begins, "October was in the chair, so it was chilly that evening, and the leaves were red and orange and tumbled from the trees that circled the grove."
Today is my first time joining your link-up. I am happy to have found it! Thank you.
Welcome to Poets and Storytellers United, Lisa. It is wonderful to have you. I can't wait to read what you've crafted for today.
DeleteI love "October in the Chair". It's one of my favorite short stories by Neil Gaiman. And in that story, too, October speaks pure wisdom (and April is hysterical, especially her observations about June after the airport story, lol). One of the things I enjoy most about Gaiman's writings is how his characters appear all over his works. Have you readThe Graveyard Book? There are hints of October and setting of "October in the Chair" too.
I enjoyed reading this post, Magaly; there is not too much "October cheer."
ReplyDeleteYou are a very wise woman. 😁
DeleteI adore Anne of Green Gables. I love reading it aloud to my children. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd ditto—October is my fave.
It’s a wonderful book and a magical month. Wonderful and magical have a living effect on cool people. 😊
DeleteOh yes, Anne with an e has been one of my favourite friends most of my life!
DeleteA wonderful homage to my birth month. And I too, love my October in poetry. <3
ReplyDeleteAnother reason to adore October. Happiest birthday month, Khaya!
DeleteI love to ponder Autumn - my favorite month.
ReplyDeleteYou have excellent taste! 😁
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